Category: MOSQUITOES AND THE DISEASES THEY SPREAD

There are around 3,500 species of mosquito on the planet, and many are vectors of disease.

Aedes aegypti

Aedes aegypti – also known as the yellow fever mosquito – originated in Africa, but today can be found in tropical and subtropical regions across the world. It may even be moving into the USA and Europe. It has adapted well to living in urban environments, exploiting bodies of stagnant water created by humans. It is responsible for spreading the Zika virus, and also transmits the viruses that cause yellow fever, chikungunya, dengue fever, West Nile fever and eastern equine encephalitis.

Anopheles stephensi

Anopheles stephensi is found throughout the Middle East and South Asia. It is the main malaria vector in urban India, often making use of water that collects at construction sites or other industrial areas. It comes in three different forms: one that prefers urban habitats and likes biting humans; one that lives rurally and feeds on animals; and one that does a mix of the two.

Anopheles gambiae

Anopheles gambiae lives in the African tropics. It is one of the most efficient vectors of malaria in the world. It breeds very quickly (growing from egg to adult in just six days under optimum conditions), and its larvae are often found in shallow temporary pools, such as tyre tracks or hoof prints filled with rainwater. There are a number of mosquitoes that are physically very similar to Anopheles gambiaebut which behave very differently (several, for example, use salt water to breed). These related species have their own names, but are together known as the Anopheles gambiae complex.

Aedes albopictus

Also known as the Asian tiger mosquito, Aedes albopictus transmits the viruses that cause yellow fever, chikungunya, dengue fever, West Nile fever and eastern equine encephalitis. It also spreads the Zika virus as well as some roundworm parasites, such as dog heartworm (Dirofilaria immitis). Originally from Asia, it has settled in pockets around the world – for instance in Albania and Italy – and is considered the most invasive species of mosquito. It is very adaptable, breeding in both artificial and natural bodies of water.

Culex mosquito

Culex is a large genus of mosquitoes made up of over 700 species. Examples can be found across the world. Some Culex species are known to spread filariasis – a disease caused by certain types of roundworm – as well as viruses that trigger various forms of encephalitis (brain inflammation). The mosquito pictured is Culex pipiens, the common house mosquito.